Video editing is in high demand. While it’s become a top skill in 2023, brands are worried about the cost they would incur. Video content is growing at an astounding rate. And, with so much content to produce, brands are also aware that they can’t rely on mediocre level editing. Not anymore.
So, here are seven cool tips to achieve fantastic level video editing in your work.
1. Ensure tight cuts
Your video only gets quality when it has been passed by a professional editor. If you wish to edit your work on your own, just make sure to have tight cuts. Don’t waste too much time with unnecessary pauses or vague dialogues.
As an editor you have to keep a close eye on the time as well as the delivery of each scene. Ask yourself do they flow well? Do each of the scene convey the intended message? Is it all in perfect coherence? Having tight cuts right from the start will save you a great amount of time.
Plus, you won’t have to re-work the scenes or reach to a freelance video editor just a day before your deadline.
2. Decide on the best angles
When it comes to video editing, having the right angles matter more than anything. Don’t be overwhelmed with the idea of choosing the perfect angles. Let it come to you naturally. Let your camera and the presenter do their thing.
Camera angles mainly depend upon the kind of project you’re working on. So, if you’re working on a documentary or character narration, you might not need to do a lot of work with the edit. As story is more paramount to the viewer than the aesthetics of the video.
Besides, if you’re working on an interview or news story, your angles will depend upon the gestures of the presenter. You should keep a keen eye on the intended message. Make sure it achieves the intended delivery with the help of your chosen angles.
3. Minimize on the number of wide-angle shots
We all can agree the close-up shots work well to convey the gestures of an actor or storyteller. While white angle shots may be perfect to mix it up, they can replace the close-up and medium shots. So, here’s another pro tip for any professional video editor.
Use wide angle shots sparing in your edit. Of course, if you want the viewer to know the shooting location, then such a shot may be useful. Wide-angled shots of places or environment work just perfectly to give context to the story. It gives an idea where exactly the scene is set.
But, once you’ve one or two people in the frame, you can always choose to have close-up and medium distance shots.
4. Pay close attention to the gestures of your presenter
Your presenters in any video reveal a lot with their gestures, intonation and rhythm. As an editor who’s specially working on interviews, podcasts and stories, make sure to pay close attention to the body language.
The non-verbal communication has a major impact on the messaging of any video. So, you want to make sure that the speaker is able to maintain a rhythm and consistence tone with their gestures throughout. So, make sure to pay close attention to the gestures of your presenter and make the necessary edits.
5. Revise to find mistakes
The next step is revising. Your first cut as an editor may have missed out on the most minute slips and delays in the dialogue. Or the video may not be as smooth as your client would want. A good technique to do this is to cut on action. So, you’re able to connect different angles and shots in your video.
6. Make more use of Split Edits
Next amazing tip is to make use of split edits. Split edits work perfectly to help you transition between scenes. These may also be referred as L or J-cuts. If you’re not familiar with split edits, know that a split edit happens with the change in picture and sound does not happen simultaneously.
It seems to be simple delay in bringing sound and picture together, but it works perfectly to grab the attention of your audience. Your viewers are not only drawn to the scene, but also helps them get more context of what’s happening in the scene.
This technique in particular enhances the overall artistic appeal of the scene. You must have noticed split edits in promo videos as well as podcasts. That’s split editing at its very basic.
7. Pace your cuts the right way
Video editing is extremely difficult to master. When we say that we actually mean it. It not only takes time, but you must have the passion, vigor and the perseverance to fail, learn and amaze with your work. And, this is what pacing your cuts is all about.
It’s one of the most essential aspects of video editing. You need to pace up your cuts with the right tempo. Sticking to one tempo or pace throughout the video might not work anymore. Content today is seriously competitive. People want a burst of several amazing flavors and also the gist of the message in absolutely no time. They’re impatient.
You can make them wait with some cool edits and hold their attention. So, pacing your cuts the right way is extremely important.
8. Give your editors some space
Here’s the final pro tip. As a video editor, you don’t want to spend all your day on a single film or reel. And, don’t expect your artists to deliver the work in one final day. I’m pretty sure it won’t work out for any of you. So, it’s best to give them some space.
Get away from the project and return to the video after a day or two. As you do that, you won’t just have new perspective to the video and audience, but also find a more creative way to edit your work and impress everyone. That’s how creativity works. It needs time.
In case you feel like video editing would take up a lot of your time, you’re always better off hiring an agency. Outsource your video editing gigs from top providers of video editing services.
